Means PSU has a ways to go before it achieves Kansas's USNews ranking: 122. Then onward and up...er, downward to Loo-uh-ville.
“Michael Wade Smith appointed Penn State senior vice president and chief of staff”
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Means PSU has a ways to go before it achieves Kansas's USNews ranking: 122. Then onward and up...er, downward to Loo-uh-ville.
Kenya Faulkner was at Penn State for 3 years +/-.In other news:
”UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Tabitha R. Oman, vice president, deputy general counsel and chief compliance officer at Axalta Coating Systems, has been named chief ethics and compliance officer at Penn State. Oman will begin her new role at the University on March 7.
She will succeed Kenya Mann Faulkner, who left the University in March 2021. During the national search for Faulkner’s successor, Vice President for Administration Frank Guadagnino has served in the role in an acting capacity.
Oman, an attorney who specializes in compliance, ethics, anti-corruption, risk, sustainability and governance, has served in a variety of roles over her 27-year career spanning corporate and criminal law, government and foreign affairs. In addition to her current role at Axalta Coating Systems, a global company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, she also has worked at the U.S. Department of State, U.S. House of Representatives, and the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tabitha to Penn State as our chief ethics and compliance officer. Her expertise and track record as a leader in these critical areas are exceptional,” said Penn State President Eric J. Barron. “Tabitha has consistently proven herself as a strategic and collaborative leader and her vision will help the University continue to advance its commitment to ethics and compliance and to empowering students, faculty and staff to uphold Penn State’s values.””
Penn State has values? Who knew?
Just over a year into her reign, she gave a presentation to Penn State Administrators and Trustees, on her progress and accomplishments to date as Penn State's Ethics and Compliance chief. She stated that as of that date, it had been too early to actually develop or implement any plans or policies - that up to that point the entire focus had been on trying to figure out who, within the vast Penn State Bureaucracy, had any "Ethics and Compliance" responsibility - and she was still "working on that" - so that they could then know who needed to be brought into the loop. That was a year into her tenure - which only lasted three years. Whether, at any time in those three years, she actually figured out who was part of the team? I do not know. Maybe she can leave some notes for the next chief (only half-kidding).
Looking at Penn State's "Ethics and Compliance" organizational flow chart, which looks like a plate of spaghetti - that has spilled out over the plate, over the table, onto the floor, and is being eaten Lady and the Tramp style by the family dogs - it may be that the task was just too daunting
It was one of the most damning admissions - probably unintentional - of the current State of the Union within Penn State Administration.
Given that Oman comes from industry, perhaps she can bring practicality and a lean mindset. That doesn’t mean anyone will listen, of course.
who cares if he is black. Why do you keep saying that. Can't he just be a person? Kansas of the east? we suck at basketball lol.
Dear lord.
Well if you want to increase the number of black students at university park, it matters that he is black. DEI is more than words - you have to demonstrate a commitment by increasing the number of minorities in leadership positions and that’s what PSU is doing. That’s why people care what color or what minority group these leaders represent and why I mentioned it. It does matter.
See the link below. From the article:
”UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has appointed Michael Wade Smith to the newly created position of senior vice president and chief of staff, effective March 5. Smith comes to Penn State from the University of Louisville, where he served as vice president for external affairs and chief of staff under Penn State President-elect Neeli Bendapudi.
Smith will report directly to Bendapudi and serve as a member of her executive leadership team.
“Michael is a trusted adviser and has been a key member of my leadership teams at the University of Louisville and at the University of Kansas, and I am thrilled that he has agreed to join me at Penn State,” said Bendapudi. “He brings tremendous energy, creativity, and interpersonal and organizational skills to the table, and I think the Penn State community will enjoy getting to know him. My gratitude to President Barron for approving this important position and Michael’s appointment, as Michael will be instrumental in the presidential transition process and play a prominent role in my administration.””
CHIEF. OF. STAFF.
EXECUTIVE. LEADERSHIP. TEAM.
MY. ADMINISTRATION.
Is PSU a university, government, or corporation now?
Neeli may add to the BLOAT.
This is a "corporate" structure. Smith was doing Bendapudi's work at Louisville, so Bendapudi has to bring him along to do whatever work PSU's is expecting him to try and do at PSU. Pretty simple.
After the 2015 PSU-rutgres football game, held at PSU, I remember a rutgres athletic supporter posting on their message board that the PSU campus was “very white bread”.
You don’t need to say it. It doesn’t matter. No one outside of this thread is going to read what you say. So why say it!! His actions in the way he presents himself will bring more minorities. He is not going to buy a billboard saying he is black. Content of character right!!!
I agree that having more minorities in positions of leadership will attract more minority students. My issue is with that being the overarching driver to fill these positions. It isn’t just PSU, obviously. All major universities and large corporations are pushing the DEI agenda and are hiring more minorities (and women) in high-profile positions. Nothing against minorities and women, but when demographics drive decisions, you can’t necessarily hire the best people for these positions. It’s much more about the public perception formed through the race and gender of the person than their abilities and accomplishments going forward. “Look at us! We are diverse and inclusive! Here’s proof!”
Just when you thought the BoT couldn't do another stupid thing. They continue to outdo themselves.
Smith is a fraternity man, ATO. Word is that he will fire the VP of Student Affairs Sims who has crapped on the Greeks for several years. Great hire and a win for Neeli.
Seems one thing we could use in this conversation is an idea of where PSU is with respect to student diversity. This info is from a 'search' and I haven't a clue about the credibility, accuracy, etc. associated with it. Maybe PSU publishes it, but it wasn't on page 1 of my search and I wasn't going to spend a lot of time digging. So, consider it one perspective.
BTW, the 2nd largest ethnic population in the US continues to grow faster than any other and will continue to do so.
BTW, the 2nd largest ethnic population in the US continues to grow faster than any other and will continue to do so.
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Sims should have been let go a long time ago - for any number of reasons. We can all agree on that, I think.
The idea that Smith coming to PSU is in any way related to putting Sims' position in jeopardy? You need to find better sources for your "words".
If Bendapudi wanted to fire Sims, she could do it in about 30 seconds - without having to add another expensive layer of administrative bureaucracy to the mix.
yep. I always have hired the best people. You know what? They are rarely just white.
My most successful team as a district manager in 2003 had 2 white male gm, 1 black woman, 1 Jamaican, 2 Latino women, 1 Lebanese, 1 Chinese, 1 white woman. We were number 1 In The country for 2 years. So when I hear that we hire based on anything other than hiring or training or promoting the best people it drives me crazy.
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